6 ways to prioritize the whole child in school psychology evaluations

March 3, 2026 - 19:35

A leading researcher emphasized the critical need to prioritize the whole child during school psychology evaluations, outlining essential strategies for practitioners. The call to action highlights a shift from deficit-focused models to more comprehensive, equitable practices.

Key recommendations include actively seeking and valuing family input as a cornerstone of the assessment process. This collaboration ensures a complete picture of the child's life across different environments. Furthermore, practitioners must continually examine and address their own implicit biases to prevent these from influencing evaluations and recommendations.

The approach champions strength-based frameworks that identify a student's competencies, interests, and cultural assets alongside any challenges. This provides a more balanced understanding and fosters more effective support plans. Additional priorities involve considering the child's holistic well-being—including social-emotional health and mental wellness—rather than solely academic performance. Contextual factors, such as classroom environment and community resources, are also vital pieces of the puzzle.

Ultimately, this paradigm shift aims to ensure every evaluation is individualized, culturally responsive, and focused on building a path for the child's overall growth and success in school and beyond.